Whether you are completely re-fitting your bathroom or simply need some adjustments, choosing the right shower screen matters. Shower screens are essential and practical, but they can also be a striking visual feature. There are many different shower screen sizes and styles, so it is worth looking at everything carefully before deciding on the right one.
Things to Consider Before You Buy
- Take careful measurements and, if useful, sketch a diagram to make sure the shower screen you buy will fit the space properly. If you are renovating, you can plan from scratch, but if you are simply replacing an existing screen, measure around the fittings already in place, checking the screen will not hit anything and that the door opening is comfortable to use.
- Make sure the shower screen fully covers the gap between the shower and the rest of the bathroom. Any gap left uncovered means water escaping onto the floor.
- The style you want determines the type of door: options include pivot doors, fixed panels, corner units, sliding doors, and fixed and swing combinations.
- Shower screens come in standard pre-made sizes as well as custom measurements, so check which option best suits your bathroom.
Types of Framing for Shower Screens
Fully Framed Shower Screens
Fully framed designs remain the most common choice. Because the assembly is more straightforward, the overall price tends to be lower than other options. Most older shower screens are fully framed, though plenty of modern, fully framed designs blend in well with a contemporary bathroom. For those prioritising cost, a fully framed screen is usually the first choice.
Semi-Frameless Shower Screens
A semi-frameless design has less framing than a fully framed one, typically with framing along the top and bottom of certain panels while other panels remain frameless. This sits as a middle ground: cheaper than fully frameless, with a sleeker and more modern look than fully framed.
Fully Frameless Shower Screens
Fully frameless designs sit at the higher end of the price scale, though many would argue they are also the most rewarding visual choice. With no framing or rubber seals visible, you get clean panels of clear glass. Most people find frameless glass easier to keep clean, and it gives a sophisticated look to a bathroom. The trade-off is that frameless screens are more fragile, since they have less structural support than framed or semi-frameless designs.
Choosing Your Glass Finish
Beyond the frame style, you can also choose glass that differs in opacity. The glass itself is the same, only its surface finish is adjusted.
Clear Glass
Clear glass is the most common choice for a shower screen, since it keeps the bathroom feeling open and lets light pass through freely, making a small bathroom feel more spacious.
Frosted Glass
As the name suggests, frosted glass has a treated surface that makes it impossible to see through clearly, offering privacy. Glass is typically frosted through techniques such as sandblasting. Depending on your preference, you can have the whole screen frosted or just certain panels.
Tinted Glass
Tinted glass also reduces visibility through the screen, but unlike frosted glass, it works through an added colour coating rather than a textured surface. Green and blue shades are among the most popular. It is worth thinking carefully before tinting any panels, since the colour needs to suit the rest of the room.
Finding the Right Supplier
Many glazier companies can build custom-made shower screens to your exact measurements, or supply pre-made styles and sizes ready to install. Take your time comparing options, since the right combination of frame style and glass finish can make a real difference to how your bathroom looks and functions day to day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest type of shower screen?
A fully framed shower screen is generally the most affordable option, thanks to its simpler construction and lower material cost compared with semi-frameless or frameless designs.
Are frameless shower screens harder to maintain?
Frameless screens are often easier to keep visibly clean since there is no frame trapping grime, but they can be more fragile than framed alternatives due to having less structural support.
Is frosted or tinted glass better for privacy?
Both offer privacy, but frosted glass obscures visibility through a textured surface, while tinted glass does so through an added colour coating. The choice usually comes down to the look you want rather than the level of privacy alone.
About the author: This guide was written by the Routen House editorial team.
